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1 Corinthians 14:5

in 1 Corinthians 14

I wish that all of you could speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets so that the church may be edified.

BSB

The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾

ASV

Now I would have you all speak with tongues, but rather that ye should prophesy: and greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

KJV

I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

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This verse in 1 Corinthians 14

Commentary

12 notes on this verse
I would that ye all spake with tongues - “It is an important endowment, and is not, in its place, to be undervalued. It maybe of great service in the cause of truth, and if properly regulated, and not abused, I would rejoice if these extraordinary endowments were conferred on all.

This site's exposition

I wish that all of you

Paul wishes all could speak in tongues yet would rather have them prophesy, ranking the gifts by what reaches the assembled church. The exception, unless he interprets, anticipates the rule of verse 27 for tongues in public.

The record, by era

The Church Fathers2 voices

A commentator

Ambrosiaster

COMMENTARY ON PAUL'S EPISTLES · Written before 384.

proposed

Paul could not forbid speaking in tongues, because this is a gift of the Holy Spirit, but the pursuit of prophecy is more acceptable because it is more useful.

A commentator

John Chrysostom

Homily on 1 Corinthians 35 · Written before 407.

proposed

Next, lest they should suppose that in envy to them he depresses the tongues, (for the more part had this gift,) to correct their suspicion he saith, "I would have you all speak with tongues, but rather that ye should prophesy: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the Church may receive edifying." But "rather" and "greater," do not mark opposition, but superiority. So that hence also it is evident that he is not disparaging the gift, but leading them to better things, displaying both his carefulness on their behalf, and a spirit free from all envy. For neither did he say, "I would that two or three," but, "that ye all spake with tongues" and not this only, but also, "that ye prophesied;" and this rather than that; "for greater is he that prophesieth." For since he hath established and proved it, he next proceeds also to assert it; not however simply, but with a qualification. Accordingly he adds, "except he interpret;" since if he be able to do this, I mean the interpreting, "he hath become equal unto the prophet," so he speaks, "because then there are many who reap the advantage of it;" a thing to be especially observed, how this throughout, before all else, is his object.

The Medieval Church3 voices

A commentator

Theophylact of Ohrid

Commentary on 1 Corinthians · Written before 1107.

proposed

The prophet, he says, is greater; but greater than the one who only speaks in tongues and does not know how to interpret. But if he also knows how to interpret, then he is equal to the prophet. For through the interpretation of what he …

A commentator

Thomas Aquinas

Commentary on 1 Corinthians · Written before 1274.

proposed

Here the Apostle excludes an objection or false understanding, which could occur in respect to the foregoing. For some might believe that since the Apostle prefers prophecy to the gift of tongues, the latter should be scorned. Hence, to exclude this he says: Now I …

A commentator

Theophylact of Ohrid

Commentary on 1 Corinthians · Written before 1107.

proposed

Since many among the Corinthians spoke in tongues, lest they think that he disparages tongues out of envy, he says: I wish that you "all" spoke in tongues, not just one or two; even more I wish that you would prophesy, because this is much …
5 more voices on this verse

The Puritans and the Awakening4 voices

A commentator

Matthew Henry

1662–1714

Commentary on the Whole Bible (1710)

Greater is he who interprets scripture to edify the church than he who speaks tongues to recommend himself. And what other end he who spoke with tongues could have, unless he interpreted what he spoke, is not easy to say, Note, That makes most for the honour of a minister which is most for the church's edification, not that which shows his gifts to most advantage.
I would that ye all spake with tongues,....

A commentator

Matthew Henry

1662–1714

Commentary on the Whole Bible (1710)

proposed

Every gift of God is a favour from God, and may be improved for his glory, and as such is to be valued and thankfully received; but then those are to be most valued that are most useful.

A commentator

Matthew Henry

1662–1714

Commentary on the Whole Bible (1710)

proposed

He goes on to show them how unprofitable the speaking of foreign languages is, and useless to the church; it is like piping in one tone, like sounding a trumpet without any certain note, like talking gibberish; whereas gifts should be used for the good of the church,

The Nineteenth Century1 voice

A commentator

Adam Clarke

1762–1832

Commentary on the Bible · Written before 1832.

proposed

I would that ye all spake with tongues - The word θελω does not so much imply a wish or desire, as a command or permission. As if he had said: I do not restrain you to prophesying or teaching though I prefer that; but I give you full permission to speak in Hebrew whenever it is proper, and when one is present who can interpret for the edification of the Church, provided yourselves have not that gift, though you understand the language. The apostle said tongue, in the singular number, 1Co 14:2, 1Co 14:4, because he spoke of a single man; now he says tongues, in the plural number, because he speaks of many speaking; but he has the same meaning in both places. - Lightfoot. Greater is he that prophesieth - A useful, zealous preacher, though unskilled in learned languages, is much greater in the sight of God, and in the eye of sound common sense, than he who has the gift of those learned tongues; except he interpret: and we seldom find great scholars good preachers. This should humble the scholar, who is too apt to be proud of his attainments, and despise his less learned but more useful brother. This judgment of St. Paul is too little regarded.

The words behind it

27 Greek words

Every Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.

A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.

Related verses

18 in all, six open

The number beside each verse is how many compiled reference works tie it to this one. The strongest six stand open.

Numbers 11:29But Moses replied, “Are you jealous on my account? I wish that all the LORD’s people were prophets and that the LORD would place His Spirit on them!”12 works1 Thessalonians 5:11Therefore encourage and build one another up, just as you are already doing.7 works1 Corinthians 12:28–30And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, and those with gifts of healing, helping, administration, and various tongues.5 works1 Corinthians 12:10to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in various tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.5 works1 Corinthians 13:1If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a ringing gong or a clanging cymbal.4 worksMark 16:17And these signs will accompany those who believe: In My name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;4 works
The other 12 cross-references, with their words ▾
Numbers 11:28–29Joshua son of Nun, the attendant to Moses since youth, spoke up and said, “Moses, my lord, stop them!”4 worksActs 2:4And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.4 works1 Corinthians 14:3–4But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, encouragement, and comfort.3 works1 Corinthians 4:19But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only what these arrogant people are saying, but what power they have.3 works1 Corinthians 12:7Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.3 worksGenesis 30:34“Agreed,” said Laban. “Let it be as you have said.”3 works1 Corinthians 14:39So, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.3 works1 Corinthians 13:4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.2 works1 Corinthians 14:18–40I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.2 works1 Corinthians 14:12–13It is the same with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, strive to excel in gifts that build up the church.2 works1 Corinthians 14:1Earnestly pursue love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.2 works1 Corinthians 14:4The one who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but the one who prophesies edifies the church.2 works

The walk

8 stops

Each card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.

  • Through

    1 Corinthians 13:1

    If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a ringing gong or a clanging cymbal.

    it leads to

    • 1 Timothy 1:5

      The goal of our instruction is the love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and a sincere faith.

    • 1 Peter 4:8

      Above all, love one another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

    • Galatians 5:22

      But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

    • 1 Corinthians 13:8

      Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be restrained; where there is knowledge, it will be dismissed.

  • Through

    Mark 16:17

    And these signs will accompany those who believe: In My name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;

    it leads to

    • Acts 5:16

      Crowds also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those tormented by unclean spirits, and all of them were healed.

    • 1 Corinthians 12:28

      And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, and those with gifts of healing, helping, administration, and various tongues.

    • Acts 8:7

      With loud shrieks, unclean spirits came out of many who were possessed, and many of the paralyzed and lame were healed.

    • Luke 10:17

      The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in Your name.”

Where this verse is studied

About 1 Corinthians

The Last Supper, Leonardo da Vinci, 1495 to 1498. Public domain.
The Last Supper, Leonardo da Vinci, 1495 to 1498. Public domain.
1 Corinthians: the study guide →Read 1 Corinthians 14 →
This page draws on 9 works. Open the list of works

This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Ambrosiaster, COMMENTARY ON PAUL'S EPISTLES; Frederic Godet, Commentary on First Corinthians; John Chrysostom, Homily on 1 Corinthians 35; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on 1 Corinthians and Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on 1 Corinthians.

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